NEIL LENNON wrapped up a third consecutive title – then turned his attention to a Champions League three-in-a-row.

The Irishman joined Willie Maley, Jock Stein and Gordon Strachan in becoming only the fourth Hoops manager to win a hat-trick of straight championships.

But after watching his men bring the curtain down on an excellent SPFL campaign with a 3-1 victory over Dundee United, Lennon aimed his sights at another European run.

The Hoops boss has led his troops into the group stages of the Champions League on each of the previous two seasons and admits repeating the feat must again be the club’s main priority this summer. Lennon said: “The consistency has been fantastic this season, as has scoring over 100 goals and winning the league by such a big margin.

“Now we look forward to the qualifiers and making sure we are at the big table next season.”

Goals from Anthony Stokes, sub Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons ensured Celtic ended their season on a high and with a massive 29-point winning margin over nearest rivals Motherwell. And two months after securing the league crown with victory against Partick Thistle, they were finally presented with the league trophy at Parkhead.

As Lennon walked around Paradise following the presentation, he insisted the sense of achievement and his place in Celtic history made this triumph far sweeter than the successes of 2012 and 2013.

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He said: “It feels better because it’s the third one. I’m proud of the team and the way we finished the season with a win.

“The likes of Commons and Stokes can reflect on a really productive and remarkable season.

“Certainly the second half of the season there has been progress and improvement so it gives us a lot of encouragement to build on.

“The league campaign has been magnificent since day one and the consistency has been remarkable.

“It’s very special to win any sort of trophy. For a long time in the 80s and 90s it was a struggle for us but now we’re productive in terms of picking up trophies and being successful on and off the field.

“I’m proud to have joined that select band of Celtic managers.

“I’m one of the few who have been privileged enough to do this job and when you are here you want to make the most if it.

Lennon selected the reliable performances of keeper Fraser Forster when asked for his season highlights and is hoping the big Englishman, who set a new Scottish shut-out record, will be rewarded with a place in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad this morning.

He said: “My highlights? That’s a good question.

“Seeing Forster getting capped for England. That’s a remarkable achievement for a player playing his football in Scotland.

“Qualifying for the Champions League and the fact we have only lost one game out of 38 in the league is pretty good.

“It is difficult to predict anything but Fraser deserves to be in the squad. He has proved he is good enough and he has improved all the time over the past three seasons.

“Playing in Scotland can be detrimental to him. That’s not being disrespectful to him or the league but that’s in the eyes of other people, not my own.

“It will be huge feather in his cap and great for the club if he makes it.”

After guiding his club through another arduous campaign, Lennon will now take a well-earned rest before heading to the World Cup finals to scout potential signings.

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He added: “We want a break. I’m tired because it’s been a marathon season. It will be nice to get a break from it all, reflect on things, take stock, then get ready for being back in action in June.

“That’s initially to get things up and running then I plan to have a holiday of some sort for two-and-a-half or three weeks. It’ll be welcome.”

Charlie Mulgrew also feels the players deserve a break after their impressive efforts this term.

Celtic accumulated 20 more points then they did last season when winning the championship and suffered only one defeat during a 38-game campaign.

Mulgrew said: “It’s always good to win the title and lift the trophy but it’s harder than a lot of people think. You’re under a lot of pressure and there are a lot of expectations. So we are delighted to have done it in the manner that we did.

“It’s not easy winning titles so this was great. It’s never as easy as it’s made out but the expectations are always there.

“Everybody is waiting for you to fail. That’s why it’s vital that we pushed on the way we did and kept going in the manner that we did.

“To go through the full campaign with just one defeat is pleasing.

“The more you win titles then the more you want to do it again and again.

“We want to keep winning titles as it gives you a hunger for it and hopefully we can do it next season again.”